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Planning for World Environment Day?

Want to be a part of World Environment Day? Plan an event! The celebration is a decentralized, community effort. All citizens - neighbors, school groups, business, industry and organizations within the Metro area are invited to participate. How you participate is up to you. Any event, between Earth Day on April 22nd and World Environment Day on June 5th, with an environmental theme is qualified.

There are so many fun ways to get involved….

Check out the Event Calendar to learn more about what is already going on in the community. Or get involved with a local school, neighborhood association, church, business or community center. Think about an education event, film showing, art event, cleanup or planting. Most importantly, CELEBRATE THE ENVIRONMENT, HAVE FUN, AND TELL US ABOUT IT! We will post your activities on this website. Your activity will be linked to the United Nation Environment Programme website and shared with the world!

Here are 5 Quick Steps

DETERMINE THE INTERESTS FOR WEDDiscuss the possibility of organizing an event around World Environment Day with your colleagues, your community, environmental co-ordinators, NGOs and local government. Brainstorm on possible areas of interest.

DETERMINE WHAT ACTIVITIES ARE PLANNED AT THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL LEVELFind out what is being prepared for celebrations at the international, regional, national and local levels. Speak with organizers of these events and see how you can support them.

LINK THE WED THEME TO YOUR ACTIVITIESAll environmental and sustainability events are welcome under the umbrella of World Environment Day. There is an official theme and events are encouraged as part of that theme, but again, all events are welcome. The official theme for 2013 is Reduce Your Foodprint. This theme involves issues such as food waste, and sustainable consumption and production. This year’s theme gives you plenty of room to be creative. Figure out clever ways to link your activities to the official theme! Think of punchy messaging that will attract the most attention and motivate others to get involved! Keep in mind though, any environmental event can be a part of WED and submitted to the website!

PREPARE A PLANEarly planning is essential to your success. Draw up a basic plan of action for discussion with friends, colleagues or senior management. Set objectives and determine a preliminary series of activities as well as a timetable. Make sure you get permission or clearance from your relevant local authorities well in advance – especially if you are planning public demonstrations or other open activities – to avoid disappointment on the day of celebration. Seek partnerships and possible financial support for your activities (e.g. local companies to help you print t-shirts, caps, posters and banners with WED messaging). Download artwork from http://www.unep.org/wed/infomaterials

CELEBRATE WITH USThis is the most important step of your planning. Why celebrate alone? Think of smart, quirky or funny ways to motivate people around you. Invite the local media to your event! Engage leaders, celebrities and government officials that will help attract the media!

This sounds expensive

Participation in World Environment Day does not require a huge financial investment. World Environment Day is a people’s event so the objective is to get everyone to participate in one way or another. By including local communities and other partners in your World Environment Day events, the possibilities of finding interested sponsors are more likely. All you need is passion for the cause, and well-planned activities. Good luck!